Madring Debut Sparks 2 Heavy Crashes as F1 Drivers Warn Over 19 Red Flags
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 11
Madring Debut Sparks 2 Heavy Crashes as F1 Drivers Warn Over 19 Red Flags
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 11
Summary
Two heavy crashes on Friday intensified scrutiny of Madrid’s new Madring circuit after F2 driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak hit the barriers and caught fire, and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad later crashed in F1 practice; both emerged unhurt.
Fast corners, narrow sections and barrier angles leave virtually no margin for error, George Russell said, calling Madring "mental" and riskier than Monaco because impacts come at higher speed.
Safety worries were already elevated after a recent F3 test produced 19 red flags and three broken chassis, with Lewis Hamilton also describing the track as massively challenging.
Mercedes still adapted quickly on track—Russell led first practice and Kimi Antonelli topped the second session—but drivers remain doubtful the layout will allow much overtaking.
That raises the prospect that Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix could hinge on qualifying and red flags, testing whether F1’s newest city "destination race" delivers spectacle or a procession.